BRATISLAVA, April 29 (Reuters) - Here are news stories,
press reports and events to watch which may affect Slovak
financial markets on Wednesday.
GOVERNMENT MEETING
The government will hold its regular weekly meeting, 0800
GMT. The cabinet is scheduled to discuss the Stability Programme
before it is submitted to the EU.
SYRIAN PRESIDENT VISIT
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will visit Slovakia, news
conference with President Ivan Gasparovic at 0940 GMT.
GAS FIRM SPP TO PAY 660 MLN EUROS DIVIDEND
Slovakia's dominant natural gas company SPP will pay 660
million euros in dividends this year to its shareholders GDF
Suez <GSZ.PA>, E.ON <EONGn.DE> and the Slovak government, the
company said on Tuesday.
[] []
SLOVAK TELEKOM TO PAY 368.7 MLN EURO IN DIVIDENDS
Slovak Telekom Group will pay 368.7 million euros ($479.9
million) in dividends this year, the company's annual
shareholders' meeting agreed on Tuesday.
[] []
PRESS DIGEST
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BANK LOANS
Banks in Slovakia have reported an increase in numbers of
people with troubles to pay back loans and credit. Banks says
they are open to renegotiate the terms or cut fees.
Sme, page 1
SLOVAKS CANCEL MEXICO TRIPS
Slovaks have been cancelling trips to Mexico following the
outbreak of swine flu. The foreign ministry has recommended to
Slovaks to reconsider trips to the affected countries.
Sme, page 2
ECONOMIC SENTIMENT DOWN
Economic sentiment in Slovakia hit a new record low in
April, falling to 68.8 points from 73.2 points in the previous
month. The sentiment indicator has fallen for eight consecutive
months.
Sme, page 7
CAR SCRAPPING SUBSIDY
Economy Minister Lubomir Jahnatek said introduction of the
car-scrapping subsidy scheme, worth 55 million euro, did not
have a major impact on Slovak economy, but that the scheme was
rather a matter of solidarity with fellow EU members.
Sme, page 6
SPP NOTES
Slovakia's dominant gas company Slovensky Plynarensky
Priemysel (SPP) was ordered by a court to pay back a note worth
400 million Czech crowns ($19.48 million) to a Czech company
Draft Ostrava. SPP, which does not recognise such notes as
legal, cannot appeal the verdict.
Pravda, page 45
U.S. STEEL KOSICE CUTS JOBS
The Slovak unit of U.S. Steel Corp. said it would cut 15
percent, or 450 jobs, off its management and administration
staff by July.
Hospodarske Noviny, page 1
PM SEES SLOVAKIA STRONG AFTER CRISIS
Prime Minister Robert Fico said he believed the Slovak
economy had potential to emerge strong from the crisis and be
among countries with the highest growth rates again.
Hospodarske Noviny, page 5
For news on upcoming events in the United States and other
Group of Seven countries, see <G7TODAY>. For a diary of
forthcoming Slovak events, double click [], and a
calendar of east European economic indicators, see [].
News editor of the day: Peter Laca on +421 5341 8402 fax:
+421 5341 8403
E-mail: editorial@reuters.sk, peter.laca@thomsonreuters.com
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